Commission adopts county 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan to preserve grant eligibility

The commission adopted Resolution 572526, formally accepting the county 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan that staff said was prepared by H2 consulting and has been approved by FEMA and the state. Staff said the last adopted plan dated from 2019 and that the updated plan expands risk assessments from six to 16 items—adding earthquake, landslide/rockfall, extreme heat and other hazards—and includes human‑caused events for internal, official‑use planning.

Staff explained the two‑year process included a $96,000 grant to begin the planning effort, public meetings and stakeholder engagement across local jurisdictions. The plan is required to remain eligible for certain mitigation grants and for post‑disaster public assistance; staff said FEMA’s thresholds for public assistance have increased and jurisdictions must be proactive in mitigation and coordination.

Commissioners reviewed draft resolution language (one change replaced the word "absolve" with "prevent" and corrected instances of "city council" to "city commission") and moved to adopt the resolution with the attorney’s edits. The motion was seconded and passed on roll call.